10 years ago #3

I graduated 10 years ago, give or take a few days.  This fact depressed me -- until I realized that I love being 28 way more than I liked being 18.

Tonight, my baby sis graduates, I am hoping that she will grow a lot in the next ten years, during ups and downs.  I know her life won't look identical to the plan she had at 18 because very few people have it work out the way they want, but I hope her life turns out better.

I would never want to go through some of my challenges over the past decade, BUT there are also so many memories I would relive over and over again, particularly in the past 3 years.
My life doesn't look like I thought it would 10 years ago.  For one thing, I thought I would be living in DC, probably married, working on the Hill or something similar, definitely not living in MS.  In fact, I distinctly remember listening to "I'm moving on" by Rascal Flats on graduation night.  Instead, I moved to Jackson after graduation temporarilly (and fell in love with it), work in my hometown, am single, and not working on the Hill or in public policy.

I certainly haven't loved every moment of the past 10 years.  In fact, a lot of moments have been REALLY hard, but I do think I can look back and be proud. I've gotten a lot done and survived a lot in the past ten years.  And, most days, I am pretty satisfied. I have loved the past 3 years in Jackson.

Here's a look back at what has happened in the past 10 years.

I went to 2 colleges and law school. I graduated with honors from both. I wrote an Honors Thesis and was involved in a sorority, student govt and other clubs. I made some amazing friends.

Dinner after my Honors Thesis Ceremony at Auburn

College Friends

Mom, Me, and Marley at Charity Ball when I was a Maid

ADPi formal at 755 club, 2005 with Alexandria

2005 Rush, in front of ole Berta Dunn Hall. With Ashley.

Jewel Degree Ceremony. Adpi.

Law School graduation with Nana and Papa

The only place I wanted my picture taken was on the field.

I spent 3 summers interning in DC and 2 summers working at Kanakuk Kamps in Missouri. I also interned for a judge in Alabama and spent a summer at L'abri Fellowship outside of Boston.

Cabin 12 at kanakuk, 2003

I fell in love for the first time.  I got engaged.  It got called off.  I applied last minute (last minute as in, I had 2 days before the deadline) for law school (with my roomate sitting at my desk saying "don't let him take this from you, get that application in today!) I took time to recover for a couple years (and get a law degree) and I finally began dating again.

First day of law school, my parents gave me "bar wear" since I was going to be studying for 3 years to be a member of the BAR (cheesy, i know)

Celebrating my first A in law school, Christmas Eve 2006

I sold my engagement ring and backpacked europe for 5 weeks.

Paris, Summer 2007

I stood as maid of honor at my younger sister's wedding and bridesmaids at several other weddings.

Sister's wedding, fall 2007

Mallory's wedding, Fall 2007

Mary Kendall's wedding, fall 2011

Callie's Wedding, Summer 2007

Ashley's wedding, Spring 2012

I've seen 2 undefeated Auburn seasons, several bowl games, Auburn's 6th straight ironbowl win and a National Championship.

National Champs  Jan. 10, 2011

6 Iron bowl wins in a row, Fall 2007

I was at 2 back to back Ole Miss Cotton Bowl wins and saw an unbelievable win over LSU a few years ago. (gotta love Miles and his clock management, er, i mean mismanagement!)

Cotton Bowl

Fall 2010 in the grove with Ansley and Mom

Fall 2010 at the Egg Bowl

Fall 2009- all the siblings

I became an Aunt.

Christmas 2011

I ran a half marathon and did the Warrior Dash.

Spring 2012, Warrior Dash with my roomie

In 10 years, I went to Belize, Europe twice (backpacking and to see my friend Ann Kirk) and went to Africa. All in All, I have now seen 15 countries other than the US (although I had seen mexico and canada prior to 18) I also got trapped in Prague due to a Volcano!

Spring 2009, Safari in Zambia

holding baby Ruthie at the Crisis Nursury in Malawi

Prague with Ann Kirk in Spring 2010 (during the Volvano!)

I moved (unexpectedly) to Jackson and made amazing friends, probably some of the best I have ever had.

I have also heard 3 justices speak, worked for Reagan's attorney general at the Heritage Foundation in DC, saw Reagan lie in state, attended a presidential debate, and had behind the scenes tours of the West Wing and the Pentagon.

I've been to Court. I've bought a car. I have TONS of student loans to pay off (though, thankfully a lot less than other people, I am fortunate). I've moved countless times. I've made big girl purchases like a big screen TV (for football duh) and furniture.  I've learned to do my taxes and am still learning to budget. I cook a lot better than I used to and I actually enjoy it.

I grew in my relationship with the Lord in tremendous ways.... this took many tears, lots of lonely nights and sometimes even doubt and anger, but I now know its true that those who have been through a lot have a sweeter trust. It takes time and pain sometimes to help us know that the Lord is faithful in all circumstances.  I'm still growing but hope that as each trial comes up, I have a renewed sense of assurance that the Lord will walk me, my family, my friends, etc.

I grew as a person.  I am a different person than I was at 18. I know that most people are different, but I feel drastically different. My beliefs are still the same, but I think as I've walked through life, I've become a little more relaxed and hopefully more dispensing of grace.  I was so uptight, so expectant of life to go as planned, and such a rule follower.  I think I've learned that situations are more complicated than one first thinks and that you can't always have such hard a fast rules on how things should go.  I am still a planner and still pretty black and white, but some gray has crept in now.